D’Tigress Begin Training Ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
Last update: March 10, 2026
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D’Tigress begin preparations in France for FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026.
Nigeria senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have begun preparations in Lyon, France, ahead of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026.
The seven-time African champions arrived in Villeurbanne on Monday for the tournament scheduled from March 11 to 17.
The team shared a short video on their official social media accounts showing players stepping straight into training with shooting drills and gym sessions as they prepared for their opening game against the Colombian women’s national basketball team.
All 12 players selected for the competition travelled to France alongside head coach Rena Wakama and her assistants.
Wakama joined the national side after completing coaching duties with Hive Basketball Club in the 3×3 Unrivalled League.
Although D’Tigress have already secured a spot at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin by winning the Women’s AfroBasket 2025, the qualifiers provide an opportunity to sharpen the squad ahead of the global tournament scheduled for September 4 to 13.
Nigeria open their campaign against Colombia on March 11, followed by South Korea on March 12, the Philippines on March 14, hosts France on March 15, and Germany on March 17.
The squad blends experience and youth, with key figures including guards Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara, and team captain Amy Okonkwo.
Other members are Sarah Ogoke, Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, Victoria Macaulay, Murjanatu Musa, Pallas Kunayi-Akpanah, Rita Igbokwe, Ifunaya Okoro, and Blessing Ejiofor.
Videos from camp show a relaxed atmosphere as players continue conditioning drills and shooting practice.
Nigeria head into the tournament with growing international recognition, ranked eighth in the world in the latest FIBA power rankings following recent strong performances.
CBI News reports that D’Tigress previously made history at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife as the first African team to progress beyond the group stage after wins over Turkey women’s national basketball team and Argentina women’s national basketball team.
They also appeared in 2006 in Brazil.
Following the qualifiers in France, Nigeria will travel to the United States in April for a landmark preseason exhibition against the Minnesota Lynx.
